Therapists, therapist variables, and cognitive-behavioral therapy outcome in a multicenter trial for panic disorder

The relationship between therapists and treatment outcome was examined in 1 4 highly trained therapists who participated in the Multicenter Collaborati ve Study for the Treatment of Panic Disorder. Overall, therapists yielded p ositive outcomes in their caseloads; yet, therapists significantly differed in the magnitude of change among caseloads. Effect sizes for therapist imp act on outcome measures varied frog 0%, to 18%. Overall experience in condu cting psychotherapy was related to outcome on some measures, whereas age, g ender, gender match, and experience with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) were not. Therapists with above- and below-average outcomes were rated sim ilarly on measures of adherence and competency. The results suggest that th erapists make a contribution to outcome in CBT for panic disorder, even whe n patients are relatively uniform, treatment is structured, and outcome is positive. Implications for future clinical outcome studies and for training clinicians are discussed.